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Chapter 5 - The Battle of Byrgin's Hill
Chapter 5
Finian Creel stood at the ready as Cassibellanus surveyed his troops. All of them loyal to Cassibellanus and only Cassibellanus. For a high King, Cassibellanus did not have the largest army, indeed the Iceni and Dumnoni largely held that spot, however Cassibellanus’s army of 15,000 men were mostly veterans of his warlord days and Cassibellanus knew a lot of them personally and the men were fiercely loyal to the High King. Cassibellanus walked alongside his men as he looked at each of them in the eye. Finian knew that the kind middle aged man that the High King seemed on normal days was long gone. The Warlord of Britannia had taken his place.
Cassibellanus swept from the third lines after looking at the armies and then came walking towards Finian. Finian looked at Cassibellanus and asked “Where will you attack, the Silures or West Ceint?”
“West Ceint.” Cassibellanus’s grip on his reins on his horse tightened. “I think I need to have a good conversation with my old ‘friend’.”
“Of course milord.” Finian murmured. Cassibellanus looked at Finian and said “Finian, the other Kings and the Queen, and especially the King of East Ceint, Segovax was astonished at the news of Carvillius’s betrayal. Emotion is needed my friend, but it has no place in the battlefield. I fear only I can take on that duty in the battlefield.”
Finian nodded sagely. Both Finian and Cassibellanus were broken out of their conversation after a young man, bearing the light orange beard that was so reminiscent of his father galloped up towards them.
Cassibellanus smiled at his son. “Emrys, are all the preparations complete?”
Emrys Catuvellauni, the Crown Prince of the Catuvellauni Kingdom and son of Cassibellanus nodded. He disembarked from his horse and bowed to his father.
“Yes Father.” Emrys replied. “Of course most of the men are shocked that Lord Carvillius would betray us, however we understand the need to put him down quickly. They are ready to march at your signal father.”
Cassibellanus nodded. “Emrys, you shall take command of my left flank. Finian you will take my right. I have complete faith in both of you that you shall protect my flanks, eh?”
“Of course father/milord.” Both men murmured. They both stood up and swung onto their horses. Cassibellanus looked towards Fort Tamesas and saw his daughter-in-law Iona holding a very pregnant stomach as she looked at the slowly march away from the fort. Troubled thoughts erupted in his mind as he looked at his son. Just 18 summers old, exactly half Cassibellanus’s age. Cassibellanus sighed and said “Emrys, your wife is pregnant, perhaps you should stay back. There is a possibility you will die. I do not wish for my grandchild to grow up fatherless.”
Emrys snorted and said “Duty calls father. Arawn would never forgive me in the Otherworld if I went back on my duty. Besides, if Arawn claims my soul for his own, then my child shall grow up knowing about their brave father who died in the line of duty. I see no greater glory than that.”
“You know as anyone else that true glory on the battlefield exists nowhere, Emrys.” Cassibellanus murmured as they marched away and away.
Emrys shook his head. “Father, I know you are worried, however I will not back down. Whatever you or Lord Creel say, I will not back down.”
“He is your son after all, your majesty.” Finian quipped.
Cassibellanus chuckled at the quip. “Perhaps. But truly I see his mother’s stubbornness more than me. Very well Emrys, it is your decision after all.”
Emrys nodded and said nothing. With the three of them in the front, the army started to march in earnest.
***
Carvillius angrily threw his goblet to the other side of the tent. How in the world had his men allowed the spy to survive. In hindsight, Carvillius should have known, Cassibellanus always stood on the principle to trust all, but keep everyone at arm’s length; even his own childhood friends.
Now a declaration had already passed to the Confederation that the King of West Ceint had seceded from the Confederation and that they were in a state of war. The good news was that Herne was already pressing in the north to lift the pressure of men against him. However there was one thing he feared most……Cassibellanus’s loyal men and veteran army of around 15,000 was extremely well trained and equipped. They were veterans of Cassibellanus’s old warlord days and knew how to fight professionally. The same could only be said for about a third of his own army.
Carvillius looked at his lieutenant and barked “What is the situation?”
“Your highness, according to scouts, Lord Catuvellauni is advancing through the Watling Street path. We are at the southern end of the street after all. We must choose a suitable area for a battle and push the Warlord back.” His lieutenant replied.
Carvillius nodded and said “Send scouts out to bring reports of the terrain back to me. Then I shall choose our battlefield. I will force Cassibellanus to my terms of battle, not his. If I give in to his terms of battle, then I am done for.”
“Of course your majesty.”
“Of course it is! Have you given the sacrifice to Lord Camulos?” Carvillius asked.
“Yes.” His lieutenant replied stoically. “The Druids were a little squeamish about sacrificing the Ambassador of Lord Catuvellauni to Lord Camulos, however after some hesitance, they agreed and the blood of the Ambassador has been split.”
“Good. What of his family?”
“His wife was apparently….made use off before being killed by the troops. His son castrated and thrown to the sea. His daughter sold to the slave market for the highest bidder.” His lieutenant replied in an even tone.
“Good. The old bastard was a pain in the arse to keep.” Carvillius murmured. “Now go and bring me those terrain reports.”
“Yes Milord.”
***
“Byrgin’s Hill. (OTL Biggin’s hill.). That’s the place where the battle should take place.” Carvillius stated as he pointed at the hill in the map. “We face north from the southern slopes. We will have the numerical as well as terrain advantage. Cassibellanus will be forced to attack in small numbers and be unable to attack my flanks.”
“That is a good proposal your majesty. Shall we march for Burgin’s Hill? It is merely a day’s march from our position while it will take 3 days for Lord Catuvellauni to reach the position.”
“Yes. Gather the troops. By nightfall, I need us to be on that hill!”
***
As night fell, Finian received disturbing news from his scouts. He stood up, exited his tent, and entered Cassibellanus’s tent where father and son were sparring with each other (read: brawling). Emrys was clearly more powerful however Cassibellanus was not giving an inch with his superior experience.
Both of them stopped slogging each other as they saw Finian look at them with amusement. Cassibellanus stood up and threw the dust of his clothes off as Emrys did the same.
Cassibellanus looked at Finian and asked “I believe you bear news on Carvillius’s men?”
“Yes milord.” Finian bowed his head slightly. “They have made camp at Byrgin’s Hill with no intent of going any further. They are going to make their battle on that hill.”
“Curses!” Cassibellanus swore. “I would use the old strategy of waiting the man out, I however cannot afford that, my veteran men must be north against the Brigantes as fast as possible. I cannot just sit and test Carvillius’s patience. What is your opinion, Finian?”
“Honestly, milord the patiently sitting it out plan would be the best and less costly option milord.” Finian muttered back.
“Yes.” Emrys sighed. “However like father said, time is of the essence. We must be able to draw Carvillius out of his defenses and rout his army so that we can press onto more pressing matters.”
“How?” Finian asked.
Cassibellanus walked back and forth folding his hands on his back. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Emrys, Finian, I believe that waiting it out is the best strategy, and knowing Carvillius’s impatient nature, I know we can lure him out given time, however we need to be able to dramatically reduce the amount of time needed to lure him out.”
“Missile fire.” Emrys muttered. “Arrows, javelins, the such. We can irritate him to come out of his positions.”
“Perhaps. I will give only two days for this. We shall go for the waiting out tactic for the first day of the battle. If it does not prove fruitful then the next day; well you know what will happen the next day.” Cassibellanus ordered.
Both his son and commander bowed their heads in recognition of his orders.
***
2 Days Later on Brygin’s Hill
Cassibellanus looked at the bluffs and cliffs of Brygin’s hill in the distance and sighed and ribbed his forehead in consternation. Carvillius had been a close commander of his for a reason; he was smart and pragmatic. However Cassibellanus knew his old friend, he was quick to anger and his impatience was always his undoing. Cassibellanus would make it sure that impatience was once again his undoing.
His men were all in formation. His lieutenants and commanders knew the plan for the first day. He reared his horse and galloped across the field observing his veteran troops. They all stood at the ready and stared ahead unflinchingly despite the glaring obviousness that Carvillius commanded a far greater force. This pleased Cassibellanus greatly. He galloped back to his original position just as Carvillius’s war drums started to begin their performance Carvillius’s camp. Cassibellanus reared his horse and turned to his troops.
“Men!” He shouted. “When we fought against the Romans, we did so to bring peace to the South! But we were betrayed! By a man we thought our brother! Our comrade in arms! Why don’t you all enlighten me, what the punishment for betrayal is?”
“DEATH! DEATH! DEATH!” His men thumped their weapons and bellowed.
“Indeed. Death.” Cassibellanus replied. “Those men are standing in our path towards Peace and Prosperity. Will you allow them to stay in the way indefinitely?”
“NEVER!” His men bellowed again.
“Then let us begin the battle!” Cassibellanus bellowed as the morning rays of light hit his face. His men roared as they balanced their javelins and the archers pulled the strings of their bows.
“Fire!” Emrys bellowed from the left flank. A volley of javelins and arrows were released from the left and fell down upon Carvillius’s left entrance towards the hill’s bluffs and narrow pass.
Finian followed by motioning his hand towards the enemy right flank and entrance. Javelins and arrows fell down on the right as well.
Cassibellanus looked at his center and raised his hand. Carvillius was moving his men towards the damaged left and right flanks to plug the holes of the damage of the volleys. His keen eyes saw an opportunity. He turned his hand towards the left. The pointed direction of his missile troops also started to turn towards the left. Cassibellanus looked at the marching men at the other side of the battlefield for a few more quiet minutes before jerking his hand forward. His men unleashed their volley fire slightly towards the left side of the enemy center. Men fell in droves. Cassibellanus grinned. As they marched their left center had become perilously thin. Now perilously thin had become extremely thin.
***
“Damn it!” Carvillius swore as his left center fell. He pushed men forward as he said “Forward! Forward! Plug the hole! Plug the hole in the defenses!”
His men grumbled and took up their positions.
“Shield walls! Do not let those missile fires take you by surprise!”
Carvillius calmed down for a few seconds before looking at the small figure his old friend made from this far away.
“What is his plan?” Carvillius gritted.
***
Cassibellanus looked towards his commanders, Finian and Emrys. “Continue the barrage for an hour. Let us see how long Carvillius’s patience lasts! Start using fire arrows and javelins half an hour into the hour.”
Finian nodded and started to relay the order. Cassibellanus leaned back and looked at the opposing army.
“The call is in your front Carvillius. Now it is time for you to fall into my trap.” Cassibellanus thought.
***
4 Hours later
Carvillius was nearing the end of his patience. Men were falling left and right and the flame arrows of Cassibellanus were becoming a right pickle to his men. He ordered most of them to retreat behind the bluff keeping only his own missile men in the forefront.
Around this time, Carvillius saw something peculiar on the other side of the field.
The missile fire! It had stopped. Cassibellanus’s army was turning back into the forest. Carvillius let out a sigh of relief. He knew his old friend. If Cassibellanus was retreating back into the forest, then that meant he was going to seek another battle on his own terms and fight another day.
He looked at his men and raised his sword.
“Men! The enemy is retreating! We have won!” Carvillius cheered. His cheer was followed through with the cheering of his own men as well. Carvillius looked with smugness as the last of Cassibellanus’s men slinked back into the path leading to the forest. After an hour around 2 PM in the afternoon, did Carvillius dare march. Cassibellanus had left all his heavy equipment and camp materials. Perhaps Herne or the Silures had created a diversion to make Cassibellanus hurriedly leave? Well that mattered not to Carvillius, this just meant that his troops now had extra weapons and supplies!
“Plunder those supplies men!” Carvillius ordered. His troops poured out of the hills onto the plains below. Carvillius himself rode out with his men. Just as they came to the camp, some 20 meters away from the forest, Carvillius looked at all the supplies left behind and smiled in triumph.
Then all havoc reigned supreme. Arrows came flying out. Javelins, spears all came out from the foliage of the forest. A spear buried itself into Carvillius’s right shoulder as he fell down. Carvillius grunted as he clutched the spear and took it out. He rode his horse again and galloped backwards yelling “Ambush! Get ready for combat!”
But it was useless. Cassibellanus’s chariots roared out of the forest and cut down all his men. Missile fire continued to come out of the forest. His men started to die left, right and center. Then he saw the spears. Emrys, Cassibellanus’s son was leading a warband towards his position.
Emrys roared and shouted “CHARGE!”
His men roared as well and came crashing down on the disoriented army of Carvillius. Carvillius himself was flung out of his horse as someone attacked him from behind. He fell down to the ground receiving the butt end of a spear. He groaned in pain and turned to look at his attacker.
He paled as he saw him. Cassibellanus smiled coldly and said “My my, Carvillius, this is quite the reunion, don’t you think?”
Finian Creel stood at the ready as Cassibellanus surveyed his troops. All of them loyal to Cassibellanus and only Cassibellanus. For a high King, Cassibellanus did not have the largest army, indeed the Iceni and Dumnoni largely held that spot, however Cassibellanus’s army of 15,000 men were mostly veterans of his warlord days and Cassibellanus knew a lot of them personally and the men were fiercely loyal to the High King. Cassibellanus walked alongside his men as he looked at each of them in the eye. Finian knew that the kind middle aged man that the High King seemed on normal days was long gone. The Warlord of Britannia had taken his place.
Cassibellanus swept from the third lines after looking at the armies and then came walking towards Finian. Finian looked at Cassibellanus and asked “Where will you attack, the Silures or West Ceint?”
“West Ceint.” Cassibellanus’s grip on his reins on his horse tightened. “I think I need to have a good conversation with my old ‘friend’.”
“Of course milord.” Finian murmured. Cassibellanus looked at Finian and said “Finian, the other Kings and the Queen, and especially the King of East Ceint, Segovax was astonished at the news of Carvillius’s betrayal. Emotion is needed my friend, but it has no place in the battlefield. I fear only I can take on that duty in the battlefield.”
Finian nodded sagely. Both Finian and Cassibellanus were broken out of their conversation after a young man, bearing the light orange beard that was so reminiscent of his father galloped up towards them.
Cassibellanus smiled at his son. “Emrys, are all the preparations complete?”
Emrys Catuvellauni, the Crown Prince of the Catuvellauni Kingdom and son of Cassibellanus nodded. He disembarked from his horse and bowed to his father.
“Yes Father.” Emrys replied. “Of course most of the men are shocked that Lord Carvillius would betray us, however we understand the need to put him down quickly. They are ready to march at your signal father.”
Cassibellanus nodded. “Emrys, you shall take command of my left flank. Finian you will take my right. I have complete faith in both of you that you shall protect my flanks, eh?”
“Of course father/milord.” Both men murmured. They both stood up and swung onto their horses. Cassibellanus looked towards Fort Tamesas and saw his daughter-in-law Iona holding a very pregnant stomach as she looked at the slowly march away from the fort. Troubled thoughts erupted in his mind as he looked at his son. Just 18 summers old, exactly half Cassibellanus’s age. Cassibellanus sighed and said “Emrys, your wife is pregnant, perhaps you should stay back. There is a possibility you will die. I do not wish for my grandchild to grow up fatherless.”
Emrys snorted and said “Duty calls father. Arawn would never forgive me in the Otherworld if I went back on my duty. Besides, if Arawn claims my soul for his own, then my child shall grow up knowing about their brave father who died in the line of duty. I see no greater glory than that.”
“You know as anyone else that true glory on the battlefield exists nowhere, Emrys.” Cassibellanus murmured as they marched away and away.
Emrys shook his head. “Father, I know you are worried, however I will not back down. Whatever you or Lord Creel say, I will not back down.”
“He is your son after all, your majesty.” Finian quipped.
Cassibellanus chuckled at the quip. “Perhaps. But truly I see his mother’s stubbornness more than me. Very well Emrys, it is your decision after all.”
Emrys nodded and said nothing. With the three of them in the front, the army started to march in earnest.
***
Carvillius angrily threw his goblet to the other side of the tent. How in the world had his men allowed the spy to survive. In hindsight, Carvillius should have known, Cassibellanus always stood on the principle to trust all, but keep everyone at arm’s length; even his own childhood friends.
Now a declaration had already passed to the Confederation that the King of West Ceint had seceded from the Confederation and that they were in a state of war. The good news was that Herne was already pressing in the north to lift the pressure of men against him. However there was one thing he feared most……Cassibellanus’s loyal men and veteran army of around 15,000 was extremely well trained and equipped. They were veterans of Cassibellanus’s old warlord days and knew how to fight professionally. The same could only be said for about a third of his own army.
Carvillius looked at his lieutenant and barked “What is the situation?”
“Your highness, according to scouts, Lord Catuvellauni is advancing through the Watling Street path. We are at the southern end of the street after all. We must choose a suitable area for a battle and push the Warlord back.” His lieutenant replied.
Carvillius nodded and said “Send scouts out to bring reports of the terrain back to me. Then I shall choose our battlefield. I will force Cassibellanus to my terms of battle, not his. If I give in to his terms of battle, then I am done for.”
“Of course your majesty.”
“Of course it is! Have you given the sacrifice to Lord Camulos?” Carvillius asked.
“Yes.” His lieutenant replied stoically. “The Druids were a little squeamish about sacrificing the Ambassador of Lord Catuvellauni to Lord Camulos, however after some hesitance, they agreed and the blood of the Ambassador has been split.”
“Good. What of his family?”
“His wife was apparently….made use off before being killed by the troops. His son castrated and thrown to the sea. His daughter sold to the slave market for the highest bidder.” His lieutenant replied in an even tone.
“Good. The old bastard was a pain in the arse to keep.” Carvillius murmured. “Now go and bring me those terrain reports.”
“Yes Milord.”
***
“Byrgin’s Hill. (OTL Biggin’s hill.). That’s the place where the battle should take place.” Carvillius stated as he pointed at the hill in the map. “We face north from the southern slopes. We will have the numerical as well as terrain advantage. Cassibellanus will be forced to attack in small numbers and be unable to attack my flanks.”
“That is a good proposal your majesty. Shall we march for Burgin’s Hill? It is merely a day’s march from our position while it will take 3 days for Lord Catuvellauni to reach the position.”
“Yes. Gather the troops. By nightfall, I need us to be on that hill!”
***
As night fell, Finian received disturbing news from his scouts. He stood up, exited his tent, and entered Cassibellanus’s tent where father and son were sparring with each other (read: brawling). Emrys was clearly more powerful however Cassibellanus was not giving an inch with his superior experience.
Both of them stopped slogging each other as they saw Finian look at them with amusement. Cassibellanus stood up and threw the dust of his clothes off as Emrys did the same.
Cassibellanus looked at Finian and asked “I believe you bear news on Carvillius’s men?”
“Yes milord.” Finian bowed his head slightly. “They have made camp at Byrgin’s Hill with no intent of going any further. They are going to make their battle on that hill.”
“Curses!” Cassibellanus swore. “I would use the old strategy of waiting the man out, I however cannot afford that, my veteran men must be north against the Brigantes as fast as possible. I cannot just sit and test Carvillius’s patience. What is your opinion, Finian?”
“Honestly, milord the patiently sitting it out plan would be the best and less costly option milord.” Finian muttered back.
“Yes.” Emrys sighed. “However like father said, time is of the essence. We must be able to draw Carvillius out of his defenses and rout his army so that we can press onto more pressing matters.”
“How?” Finian asked.
Cassibellanus walked back and forth folding his hands on his back. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Emrys, Finian, I believe that waiting it out is the best strategy, and knowing Carvillius’s impatient nature, I know we can lure him out given time, however we need to be able to dramatically reduce the amount of time needed to lure him out.”
“Missile fire.” Emrys muttered. “Arrows, javelins, the such. We can irritate him to come out of his positions.”
“Perhaps. I will give only two days for this. We shall go for the waiting out tactic for the first day of the battle. If it does not prove fruitful then the next day; well you know what will happen the next day.” Cassibellanus ordered.
Both his son and commander bowed their heads in recognition of his orders.
***
2 Days Later on Brygin’s Hill
Cassibellanus looked at the bluffs and cliffs of Brygin’s hill in the distance and sighed and ribbed his forehead in consternation. Carvillius had been a close commander of his for a reason; he was smart and pragmatic. However Cassibellanus knew his old friend, he was quick to anger and his impatience was always his undoing. Cassibellanus would make it sure that impatience was once again his undoing.
His men were all in formation. His lieutenants and commanders knew the plan for the first day. He reared his horse and galloped across the field observing his veteran troops. They all stood at the ready and stared ahead unflinchingly despite the glaring obviousness that Carvillius commanded a far greater force. This pleased Cassibellanus greatly. He galloped back to his original position just as Carvillius’s war drums started to begin their performance Carvillius’s camp. Cassibellanus reared his horse and turned to his troops.
“Men!” He shouted. “When we fought against the Romans, we did so to bring peace to the South! But we were betrayed! By a man we thought our brother! Our comrade in arms! Why don’t you all enlighten me, what the punishment for betrayal is?”
“DEATH! DEATH! DEATH!” His men thumped their weapons and bellowed.
“Indeed. Death.” Cassibellanus replied. “Those men are standing in our path towards Peace and Prosperity. Will you allow them to stay in the way indefinitely?”
“NEVER!” His men bellowed again.
“Then let us begin the battle!” Cassibellanus bellowed as the morning rays of light hit his face. His men roared as they balanced their javelins and the archers pulled the strings of their bows.
“Fire!” Emrys bellowed from the left flank. A volley of javelins and arrows were released from the left and fell down upon Carvillius’s left entrance towards the hill’s bluffs and narrow pass.
Finian followed by motioning his hand towards the enemy right flank and entrance. Javelins and arrows fell down on the right as well.
Cassibellanus looked at his center and raised his hand. Carvillius was moving his men towards the damaged left and right flanks to plug the holes of the damage of the volleys. His keen eyes saw an opportunity. He turned his hand towards the left. The pointed direction of his missile troops also started to turn towards the left. Cassibellanus looked at the marching men at the other side of the battlefield for a few more quiet minutes before jerking his hand forward. His men unleashed their volley fire slightly towards the left side of the enemy center. Men fell in droves. Cassibellanus grinned. As they marched their left center had become perilously thin. Now perilously thin had become extremely thin.
***
“Damn it!” Carvillius swore as his left center fell. He pushed men forward as he said “Forward! Forward! Plug the hole! Plug the hole in the defenses!”
His men grumbled and took up their positions.
“Shield walls! Do not let those missile fires take you by surprise!”
Carvillius calmed down for a few seconds before looking at the small figure his old friend made from this far away.
“What is his plan?” Carvillius gritted.
***
Cassibellanus looked towards his commanders, Finian and Emrys. “Continue the barrage for an hour. Let us see how long Carvillius’s patience lasts! Start using fire arrows and javelins half an hour into the hour.”
Finian nodded and started to relay the order. Cassibellanus leaned back and looked at the opposing army.
“The call is in your front Carvillius. Now it is time for you to fall into my trap.” Cassibellanus thought.
***
4 Hours later
Carvillius was nearing the end of his patience. Men were falling left and right and the flame arrows of Cassibellanus were becoming a right pickle to his men. He ordered most of them to retreat behind the bluff keeping only his own missile men in the forefront.
Around this time, Carvillius saw something peculiar on the other side of the field.
The missile fire! It had stopped. Cassibellanus’s army was turning back into the forest. Carvillius let out a sigh of relief. He knew his old friend. If Cassibellanus was retreating back into the forest, then that meant he was going to seek another battle on his own terms and fight another day.
He looked at his men and raised his sword.
“Men! The enemy is retreating! We have won!” Carvillius cheered. His cheer was followed through with the cheering of his own men as well. Carvillius looked with smugness as the last of Cassibellanus’s men slinked back into the path leading to the forest. After an hour around 2 PM in the afternoon, did Carvillius dare march. Cassibellanus had left all his heavy equipment and camp materials. Perhaps Herne or the Silures had created a diversion to make Cassibellanus hurriedly leave? Well that mattered not to Carvillius, this just meant that his troops now had extra weapons and supplies!
“Plunder those supplies men!” Carvillius ordered. His troops poured out of the hills onto the plains below. Carvillius himself rode out with his men. Just as they came to the camp, some 20 meters away from the forest, Carvillius looked at all the supplies left behind and smiled in triumph.
Then all havoc reigned supreme. Arrows came flying out. Javelins, spears all came out from the foliage of the forest. A spear buried itself into Carvillius’s right shoulder as he fell down. Carvillius grunted as he clutched the spear and took it out. He rode his horse again and galloped backwards yelling “Ambush! Get ready for combat!”
But it was useless. Cassibellanus’s chariots roared out of the forest and cut down all his men. Missile fire continued to come out of the forest. His men started to die left, right and center. Then he saw the spears. Emrys, Cassibellanus’s son was leading a warband towards his position.
Emrys roared and shouted “CHARGE!”
His men roared as well and came crashing down on the disoriented army of Carvillius. Carvillius himself was flung out of his horse as someone attacked him from behind. He fell down to the ground receiving the butt end of a spear. He groaned in pain and turned to look at his attacker.
He paled as he saw him. Cassibellanus smiled coldly and said “My my, Carvillius, this is quite the reunion, don’t you think?”
- Sārthākā
- Word Count: 2.6k